How to use Spotify Codes to share your music

Spotify rolls out a cool feature that makes it easier for you to get fans listening to your music on the streaming platform.

Just the other day I was thinking about a solo touring scenario where I’d need to travel light, real light — like one-change-of-clothes and no-merch light.

That got me wondering about the best way to ask people in the audience to access my music on their preferred streaming service. Spotify might’ve just introduced a solution: Spotify Codes, “a brand new way for users to share any track, artist, album, or playlist available on Spotify, as easily as taking a picture.”

Think of it like the Spotify equivalent of a QR code that your fans can scan on their phones to quickly access your tracks, albums, or playlists. Spotify Codes are now available worldwide for Android and iOS.

There are probably dozens of good uses for these codes, but here’s a basic list of options:

1. Bring some prominence to your playists

Playlists aren’t always as easily searchable on Spotify as artists, albums, and song titles. Sometimes playlists won’t appear in a search at all until they have a certain amount of followers. That means that someone would have to go to your artist discography page on Spotify first, then scroll down to see what playlists you’re featuring on that page. Spotify Codes gives you a much simpler way to make sure fans are finding and following your playlists.

2. Share Spotify Codes on Instagram

Since Instagram makes it hard to link followers to external URLs, you can share a picture of your Spotify Code, ask fans to take a screenshot, and then they can link right to your music.

3. Display a Spotify Code at your merch booth (or from stage)

Tell the audience to take a picture of the code and they can blast your tunes in the car ride home.

4. Keep an image of your Spotify Codes in your camera roll

Then you’ll have an easy way to share your music when you’re face-to-face with someone who wants to check out your tunes. They can take out their phone, open up Spotify, and scan the image right off your screen.

5. Print a Spotify Code on your concert posters

And on your flyers, business cards, one-sheets, etc. If the artwork catches their attention, you might be able to entice them to start listening to your music right then and there.

How to access and share a Spotify Code

To find a Spotify Code, click on the ellipsis (“…”) next to the artist, song, album, or playlist you want to share.

Once you do, the code will appear at the bottom of the artwork.

Click on the artwork with the code.

Save the image to your camera roll by clicking “Save to Photos.”

Share away!

Be sure to tell your fans that all they need to do is open Spotify and find the camera icon (located next to the search bar).

In this article

... is the Editor of CD Baby's DIY Musician Blog. I write Beatlesque indie-pop songs that've been praised by No Depression, KCRW, The LA Times, & others. My poems have appeared in Poetry Magazine, Prairie Schooner, The Poetry Review, & more. I live in Maine and like peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, a little too much.